Music

Oregon-based Anna Tivel, and Central Coast performer Chris Beland are kindred spirit singer-songwriters whose music expresses an honesty and depth that resonates with their audiences. They dropped by the KCBX studios to play some music and have a conversation with Marisa Waddell about their craft.

"Inspirational, fun, team building, challenging, rewarding, instructional, teaching tolerance, love of fine music," is how it has been described. The Central Coast Children's Choir provides over 100 children in San Luis Obispo County with the extraordinary opportunity of experiencing the joy of singing in live choral performances while receiving a high-quality music education.

It's easy to get bogged down by the challenges we can face in every aspect of our lives. And when there is no obvious relief in sight, the time comes when we need to create our own space to let off steam and make room for pleasure. Tune in for some words of musical wisdom and a reminder that making time for dance and community can heal the soul.

This season, the San Luis Obispo Symphony is auditioning five candidates for the position of music director. Marisa Waddell will speak with each one through May 2017. In this conversation, she chats with conductor Nan Washburn about her vision and ideas for the Symphony, and with David Hamilton, the chairman of the search committee.

Jungle Fire's Michael Duffy is one of three percussionists in the 10-piece Latin funk band from Los Angeles. In anticipation of the KCBX Holiday Funk & Folk Fest on December 10th, 2017, Duffy talks with Marisa Waddell about the band's music, creative process, and upcoming album. Plus, a sampling of tracks from their last album, "Tropicoso."

This coming season, the San Luis Obispo Symphony will audition five candidates for the position of music director. Marisa Waddell will speak with each one through May 2017. In this conversation, she chats with Maestro José-Luis Novo about his vision and ideas for the Symphony, and with David Hamilton, the chairman of the search committee.

This coming season, the San Luis Obispo Symphony will audition five candidates for the position of music director. Marisa Waddell will speak with each one through May 2017. In this conversation, she chats with Maestro Andrew Sewell about his vision and ideas for the Symphony, and with David Hamilton, the chairman of the search committee.

Research shows that more than 80% of a child’s brain develops in his or her first three years of life. Even before a child can speak, babies learn from hearing words spoken or sung. Experts say that taking advantage of any opportunity to talk, read and sing to a child to teach them about language and its connection to the world around us can be one of the easiest and most important things you can do to help them grow up smarter, happier, and gain a brighter future.

Join host Fred Munroe as he speaks with Misty Livengood, Communications Officer, First 5 San Luis Obispo County, Children & Families Commission, Heidi Harmon, Host of Music Time at Boo Boo Records and Early Childhood Educator, and Margaret Kensinger-Klopfer the Youth Services Coordinator Librarian with the San Luis Obispo County Library System as they discuss the importance of talking, reading, and singing to children and how it can benefit early brain development and future school success.

Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX and made possible through underwriting by Joan Gellert-Sargen.

The Central Coast quintet, Café Musique, is about to release its fourth album, Ebb and Flow. Marisa Waddell talks with the band's violinist, Brynn Albanese and accordion player, Duane Inglish, about signing to a label, picking repertoire, the process of recording, and embracing changes in the band.

We asked our KCBX music hosts what their favorite music was for 2015, and several of them came up with lists, many of them “in no particular order,” of songs, albums, live performances, and even theatre and art! The big favorites – across different lists – were Los Lobos, Sharon Jones, The Live Oak Music Festival, Steve Earle, Dave & Phil Alvin, Whitey Morgan, and KCBX music shows.

Interview with ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, and a preview of his forthcoming album.

Jake Shimabukuro has taken his instrument, the ukulele, to a level of virtuosity that is sometimes astounding.

He is starting a tour to support his upcoming album "Travels," which will be released on October 9th, 2015 and he will make a stop at the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo on Saturday, August 15th.

One of the Central Coast’s biggest music events starts Thursday. The Festival Mozaic presents ten days of

world-class performers playing everything from orchestral works by Beethoven to gypsy music and interpretations of the Grateful Dead. Marisa Waddell talks with the festival’s music director, executive director, and principal flutist.

He plays a few songs, and chats with Marisa Waddell about his instruments, the evolution of his musical style, and his other artistic life -- working with clay. Special thanks to audio engineer Brian Lanzone.

Granddaughter of legendary country star Hank Williams and daughter of Hank Jr., Holly's album "The Highway" was named Top 10 of 2013 by People Magazine and includes the track "Giving Up", named in the top 50 songs of 2012 by NPR Music.

With a distinctly personal spin on common country music themes like love, loss and desire, The L.A. Times recently said of Williams "There’s still more of an indie-folk flavor to most of her songs, but now she’s making music that best fits the tales she has to spin, and if that takes her into rootsy country, or meaty rock a la the Band, so be it."